Like Russian 3303 in the fall, this is a variable-credit course: you select the number of credits when you enroll. Sign up for 4 credits to attend all three classes. Sign up for 3 credits and attend two classes each week. If you cannot attend more than one weekly class, sign up for 2 credits.

The materials and the nature of all assignments for each
class are described below. See
Syllabus
for dates and details. See
Rooms and times for meeting times and places.

Materials

Stories for the reading class are online, each linked to the syllabus.

Any good Russian-English and English-Russian dictionary (e.g. the one by Kenneth Katzner, published by John Wiley and Sons, paperback edition available)

Watching the films:
At the moment, film
Благословите женщину
can be watched on YouTube.
If you cannot access it at the above links, or simply want better video quality, go to the language lab in Stimson Hall and use any of the Windows or Macintosh computers.
Interviews from Sweden may be watched online
here
(it is not available on DVD),
and
Blesss the Woman is available on DVD RV91 in the language lab in Stimson Hall.

Assignments for the Russian Internet classes
Find a few Russian Web sites that treat the assigned subject (see Syllabus)
and make up a plan for your own site using the language and presentation style of the original Web pages.
You can draw a diagram or take notes (optional) to help you present your subject in class.

Assignment for the reading/discussion class
Read the assigned story carefully using a dictionary when necessary, and prepare to discuss its narrative and main characters.
Prepare two types of questions:
1) any question(s) that you want to ask in class to clarify the parts of the story that you find difficult to understand;
2. four questions based on the story to which your classmates should either find the answers in the story, or offer their opinions/explanations as a response

Assignment for the film/discussion class

When working with «Интервью из Швеции»:
1) Consult the Syllabus and watch the assigned
interviews. Make sure you understand at least 80% of the dialog. If some of the
passages are difficult to understand, consult the transcripts and your dictionary.
Prepare four questions on these episodes that
you will ask in class.

2) Each student will also be assigned a few interviews for more careful study.
Prepare a brief report (2 to 4 minutes).
In class, you will be asked to present your report on your own, without any prompting.
Try to use as many actual expressions from the interviews as you can.

When working with «Благословите женщину»:
1) Consult the Syllabus and watch the assigned
film episodes. Make sure you understand at least 80% of the dialog. If some of the
passages are difficult to understand, consult the transcripts and your dictionary.
Prepare four questions on these episodes that
you will ask in class.

2) Each student will also be assigned a few scenes for more careful study.
In the film transcript online, read the scene description and summary and prepare
a brief report (3 to 5 minutes).
In class, you will be asked to present your report on your own, without any prompting.
Try to use as many actual expressions from the film as you can.

3) Prepare to act out in class the scenes that are assigned for you individually in the Syllabus.
Try to use as much of the actual language from the film as you can.

You will have two general discussion classes based on the two films,
shown in the Syllabus.

At the end of the semester, you will write one essay for the film class
and one for the reading class, in Russian. These are indicated in the syllabus.
The essays should be typed double-spaced, 1.5 to 2 pages.

Tests
The course concludes with a take-home (online) final exam.

Grading and attendance
Performance in all three classes, 50 percent; written homework for the Web class, 25 percent;
final examination, 25 percent.
Attendance is very important.
Missing more than three classes without a good reason may
affect your grade.

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